Seattle Seahawks sign Mike Iupati: Grade, reaction and more

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Mike Iupati #76 of the Arizona Cardinals on the bench during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

After a long-tenured guard left in free agency, the Seahawks replaced him with an NFC West journeyman who’s been around the block a few times.

Guard J.R. Sweezy was a mainstay on the Seattle Seahawks offensive line anchored a mini-dynasty in the mid-2010s. He left for the Buccaneers in free agency in the spring of 2016, and after an injury-riddled tenure in Tampa Bay, re-signed with Seattle on a one-year deal in 2018. Well now, he’s gone again, having signed a two-year contract with the division rival Cardinals.

The Seahawks then completed the ultimate offensive line swap, immediately signing Arizona guard Mike Iupati away from the Cardinals on a presumably cheap, one-year deal. Iupati will be reuniting with offensive line coach Mike Solari, who coached the four-time Pro Bowler for five years with the San Francisco 49ers from 2010-2014.

Interestingly enough, this is Iupati’s third team — all from the NFC West. He’s now played for the 49ers, Cardinals and Seahawks.

Contract Details

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo first reported the one-year deal between the Seahawks and Iupati. The financial terms of the deal have yet to be announced.

I thought the Mike Iupati deal might spell the end of G D.J. Fluker in Seattle but no. Source says the #Seahawks are finalizing a two-year deal for Fluker. So their guards this year will be a couple of former first-round picks in Iupati and Fluker.

Couple things of note on Mike Iupati, who’s signing a one-year deal with the Seahawks per @MikeGarafolo: He’s exclusively played left guard. Seattle has an opening there after losing J.R. Sweezy. Iupati’s tenure in SF (2010-14) coincided with that of Mike Solari, his new OL coach

If Iupati can stay healthy – and that’s a huge if – this could be a home run of a deal for the Seahawks. Iupati is already very familiar with the situation and scheme in Seattle, as he played under Solari on a dominant 49ers offensive line in the early 2010s.

The specific financial details of the contract are yet to be released, but it’ll likely be a cheap veteran deal for a late-career guy just looking for the best situation. Iupati is a better run blocker than pass blocker, and the Seahawks are obviously a run-heavy team. Last season, Seattle led the NFL in rushing attempts and rushing yards, both by a wide margin.